GRADE THREE CURRICULUM LETTER

SUMMER TERM UNIT: FASHION Friday 8th April 2016

GRADE THREE CURRICULUM LETTER

SUMMER TERM UNIT: FASHION Friday 8th April 2016

Big Question: How our lives are influenced by popular culture - is it a need, an evolution or a luxury?

Dear Grade Three Parents,

Our last unit for this academic year focuses on ‘popular culture’, in particular, 'fashion'.

From the clothes that we wear casually, to clothes for more formal occasions, we will explore how these outfits are used for function or for fashion.

It’s also about our tastes – the things that we like and we don’t like. Some people use fashion to fit in, whilst others use it to prove that they are different. By learning about fashion, we are learning about people and society, and the things that influence how we, as groups and individuals, present ourselves – to our friends, family and communities.

In History, we’ll be finding out:

• About fashions and trends in the past, and what might have influenced these

• About the jewellery that people used to wear in the past

In Technology, we’ll be finding out:

• How to design and make our own ‘street fashion’

• How to design and make jewellery

In Science, we’ll be finding out:

• About the use of waterproof materials

• What materials are the best for keeping warm in cold weather

In International, we’ll be finding out:

• Where some of our popular brands of clothing and sporting equipment is made

• About what is considered fashionable in our home and host countries

OUR KEY LEARNING GOALS

Below are the key skills that the children will be assessed on throughout this unit.

In Science - Be able to prepare a simple investigation which is fair, with one changing factor

In History - Be able to give some reasons for particular events and changes

In Technology - Be able to identify and implement improvements to their designs and products

In International - Be able to identify activities and cultures which are different from but equal to their own

The PERSONAL GOAL for this unit is ADAPTABILITY.

In Language Arts, we will be enjoying the wonderful genre of Poetry in our 'Creating Images' Poetry unit. The children will be reading and listening to a great many styles of poetry and be inspired by inspirational poets.

Through the next 5 weeks the children will be letting their creative juices flow by dabbling in the many styles that poems come in and using rich, descriptive and often fun vocabulary in both written and digital form. This will culminate in an anthology of their own work! We look forward to sharing their pieces with you at the end of term.

The second part of term, will be dedicated to Persuasive texts where we will look at the way that language can sway opinions and create a persuasive argument. This will tie in very nicely with our IPC topic on 'Fashion', where we will be delving closer into the lives of the people who create items in the clothing industry. We will be creating posters, leaflets and digital pieces a platforms for our persuasive texts. It will prove to be a very inspiring LA topic and we will look forward to you reading the children's pieces.

In Mathematics, we will be learning about fractions, specifically being able to compare and order like fractions, match equivalent fractions and add and subtract fractions in word problems. We will also be learning how to tell the time, calculate intervals of time and solve time word problems. Finally we will move onto shape and space, where the children will learn to identify, name, label and draw perpendicular and parallel lines, find the area and perimeter of a figure and solve 2-step word problems involving area and perimeter

In Art, we will be using the design cycle to create a screen print. Children will become knowledgeable about the screen-printing process and the 5 stages of the Design Cycle; investigate, design, plan, create and evaluate. To help us with this project, we will develop technical skills in graphic design, the printing process, using technology and being able to explain our work, giving reasons for our opinions.

In Music, the grade will be learning about rhythms used in African drumming, particularly the Djembe. It is a drum from West Africa and in recent years, gaining much popularity in the West. The class will be introduced to the basic methods of playing a Djembe and will learn about the various sounds that a Djembe makes. Much of the activity in this unit will involve ensemble playing with the class divided into groups playing different rhythms simultaneously.

To learn to play the Djembe with correct body position and hand movements

To learn the various rhythms and to play them accurately

To learn to play in a Djembe ensemble

In PE children will be studying a Unit of Outdoor Adventure (bouldering).

In Outdoor Adventure children will:

Learn the safety aspects of bouldering on the SJI wall

Understand the need for PSE and how to use it

Learn the skills of spotting and how to ensure climber safety

Refine ability to pick an effective route and climb predominantly using footholds and legs

Understand the need for the ‘triangle attachment’

In Swimming children will:

Continue to work on power and endurance in leg action in a range of swimming strokes

Develop breathing and body position in a range of strokes to improve efficiency in the water

Be more confident in selecting from a range of starts and finishes and use them to good effect when racing in preparation for swimming galas

In Digital Literacy, children will look into using digital tools and technologies to express themselves through music and sharing their creations with the world.

Students will become more knowledgeable about:

Using a range of Google Apps to find, organize, present and share information and ideas

Being a responsible digital citizen

using different ways to create and share music using digital tools

To help us with the unit, we will develop technical skills of, and build confidence in:

Using student school Google Apps accounts to manage the planning of their work and save

Using tools offered by soundation.com website to create digital music

Working collaboratively to create digital music together

In Chinese, the children will be learning about:

How’s the Weather Today?

Identify and describe weather conditions

Learn activities for different weather conditions

Learn to say the maximum and minimum temperature

Making Comparisons

Revise animals and transportation

Learn some antonyms

Learn how to make comparisons

OUR ENTRY POINT

On Thursday 14 April, we would like the children come to school dressed in their national costume from their home country, or in clothes that represent their home country’s colours or lifestyles. These can be the same outfits worn for the recent Global Family Parade. We are going to be having a whole grade fashion parade before the children take turns to explain to their classmates the clothes that they are wearing and their relevance to their home country.

We would also like the children to bring in the name of a singer/songwriter from their home country, along with a song/piece of music that this person has written or recorded. Their teachers will try and find the songs the children have chosen and play throughout the day. Discussions will take place about the similarities and differences between songs from different countries and why they might become 'popular'.

Children will also work in groups to share a traditional game and/or talk about festivals from their home country that have been popular in the past or continue to be popular today.

Notice from the PE department

Express Swimming Timetable (April 2016)

The SJIIES Swim Gala’s are fast approaching (week starting 2nd May) and children are working hard in swim lessons preparing for their events. Those classes who are currently on a Land PE Block will be given an Xpress Swimming Unit for 2 weeks so that they too can have preparation and practice time for their Galas.

Important Notice - PE Kit and School Uniform

On days that Grade Three students have their PE lessons, they come to school wearing their PE kit and can remain in their kit all day.

If your child is in a sports team, or in an ECA that requires them to wear their PE kit, on a non-PE lesson day, they wear their normal school uniform for the day and change into their PE kit at 3.00p.m.